Walking & Cycling
Walking and cycling are day-to-day activities that not only contribute to energy-savings and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, they also contribute to a healthy life-style. Unfortunately, Malaysia is one among ten countries in the world with the highest accident rates on the streets. It is of paramount importance that staff and students walking or cycling both in campus streets and outside must be highly cautious of their personal safety. UMP Gambang 4.6km new bicycle track.
bicycle track at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Gambang Campus
SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS
BE SAFE AND BE SEEN: MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE TO DRIVERS
1. Wear bright/light coloured clothing and reflective materials.
2. Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
3. Cross the street in a well-lit area at night.
4. Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
BE SMART AND ALERT: AVOID DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS
1. Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
2. Stay sober; walking with impaired view increases your chance of being struck.
3. Don't assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with drivers, don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, he or she may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
4. Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals. Look before you cross the road.
5. Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.
BE CAREFUL AT CROSSINGS: LOOK BEFORE YOU STEP
1. Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
2. Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON'T WALK signs.
3. Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
4. Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
5. Look across ALL lanes you must cross. Be visually clear each lane before proceeding. Even if one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
6. Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.
SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS
ALWAYS RIDE WITH THE TRAFFIC AND FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD:
1. You are better off riding with the flow of traffic, not against it. Accidents statistics tell us that getting hit from behind is unlikely.
2. Make sure you are predictable and visible to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.
3. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of other vehicles, and use hand signals when turning and stopping.
4. Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to the traffic when appropriate, including pedestrians.
DON'T RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK:
1. A bicyclist rides in a bicycle lane. Although you might think it's a safer option to ride on the sidewalk, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against the direction of traffic.
2. At every driveway and intersection, you are at greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road with traffic.
3. Pedestrians will thank you for riding on the road as well.
4. Ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bicycle lane, or bicycle route. You still need to follow the rules of the road and watch out for your fellow travelers. Ride to the left, signal your turns, obey traffic signs and signals.
BE PREDICTABLE AND VISIBLE:
1. Try not to be hesitant or do things that motorists and other travellers may not be expecting.
2. Make sure everyone can see you and knows where you are and where you are going.
3. If riding in the dark, use headlights, taillights, and reflectors and wear reflective materials and brightly coloured clothing.
4. Do not use headphones or talk on a cell phone while bicycling.
WATCH FOR STUFF ON THE ROAD OR TRAIL THAT MIGHT MAKE YOU FALL OR SWERVE:
1. Rocks, trash, storm grates, wet leaves, potholes, gravels, railroad tracks, and even wet pavement markings can all send you flying while cycling.
2. Also watch for parked cars, sudden car doors opening, and cars pulling in and out of driveways.
WATCH FOR TURNING TRAFFIC:
1. Most car/bike collisions happen at intersections and driveways when motorists or bicyclists are turning.
2. At every intersection and driveway, keep a careful eye out for motorists turning right in front of you - you may be going faster than they think. Also, look for motorists turning left across your path - drivers are looking for gaps in traffic and may not be paying attention to anything other than other motor vehicles.
SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVERS
BE ALERT: WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS AT ALL TIMES:
1. Scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians or bicyclists.
2. Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing or bicyclists coming up the road.
3. Do not use your cell phone while driving.
4. Look carefully behind your vehicle for approaching pedestrians, especially students, before reversing.
5. For maximum visibility, keep your windshield clean and headlights on.
6. Slow down vehicle speed when approaching zebra/crossing line.
BE RESPONSIBLE: YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS AT CROSSINGS AND GIVE BICYCLISTS ROOM:
1. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked.
2. Yield to pedestrians when making right or left turns at intersections.
3. Do not block or park in crosswalks.
4. Allow time for bicyclists to traverse intersections.
5. Treat bicyclists like slow moving cars: do not tailgate them and wait until traffic conditions allow you to pass safely.
6. Slow down when passing bicyclists and give them three feet of space when passing.
7. Check over your shoulder after passing a bicyclist before moving back into the lane.
BE PATIENT: DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT AND AVOID AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERS:
1. Never pass/overtake a vehicle that stop for pedestrians.
2. Obey speed limits in the university (30km/h) and come to a complete stop at STOP signs.
3. Use extra caution when driving near children playing along the street (e.g. in nursery area).
4. Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians.
5. Don't blast your horn in proximity to bicyclists.
6. Children and novice riders can be unpredictable; expect the unexpected.
Source: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/community/tips_pedestrian.cfm
